Fuel dispensing system having a flexible hose with a static dissipator and a fuel leak detector and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A fuel dispensing system and method of making the same are provided, the system comprising a storage tank for the fuel and being disposed in the ground, a dispensing pump disposed above the ground, a first flexible hose construction having an inner surface and being disposed in the ground for conveying fuel from the tank to the pump, and a second flexible hose construction having opposed ends one of which is interconnected to the pump, the second hose construction being disposed above the ground for dispensing fuel from the pump into a fuel container of a transportation vehicle or the like through a nozzle interconnected to the other of the ends thereof, the second hose construction having electrical conductor structure extending therealong for dissipating static electricity from the nozzle to the pump, the first hose construction having leak detection structure for detecting leakage of the fuel therein through the inner surface therof and for providing an electrical conductor structure therealong for dissipating static electricity from the pump to the storage tank.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional patent application of its copendingparent patent application Ser. No. 800,349, filed Nov. 26, 1991, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,186,357, which, in turn, is a divisional patentapplication of its copending parent patent application Ser. No. 575,723,filed Aug. 31, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a new fuel dispensing system and to a newmethod of making such a fuel dispensing system.

2. Prior Art Statement

It is known to provide a fuel dispensing system comprising a storagetank for the fuel and being disposed in the ground, a dispensing pumpmeans disposed above the ground, a first flexible hose constructionhaving an inner surface means and being disposed in the ground forconveying fuel from the tank to the pump means, and a second flexiblehose construction having opposed end means one of which isinterconnected to the pump means, the second hose construction beingdisposed above the ground for dispensing fuel from the pump means into afuel container of a transportation vehicle or the like through a nozzlemeans interconnected to the other of the end means thereof, the secondhose construction having electrical conductor means extending therealongfor dissipating static electricity from the nozzle to the pump means.For example, see the now allowed copending patent application Ser. No.192,253, of Rodger P. Grantham, filed Apr. 25, 1988, wherein the secondhose construction has electrical conductor means extending therealongfor dissipating static electricity from the nozzle to the pump means.

It is also known to provide conductive polymeric means from one end of aflexible hose construction to the other end thereof. For example, seethe U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,383, to Kleykamp, and the U.S. Pat. No.4,196,464, to Russell.

It is also known to provide electrical conductive means in the structureof a flexible hose construction from one end thereof to the other endthereof to form part of a leak detection means for detecting leakage ofliquid through the inner surface means thereof. For example, see theU.S. Pat. No. 4,446,892 to Maxwell.

It is also known to provide means for detecting the leakage of fuelthrough a hose construction disposed in the ground and interconnecting astorage tank to an above-the-ground pump means. For example, see theU.S. Pat. No. 4,673,926 to Gorman; the U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,505 to Sharp;the U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,889 to Mizuochi and the U.S. Pat. No. 3,564,526to Butts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one feature of this invention to provide a new fuel dispensingsystem wherein the flexible hose construction that interconnects abelow-the-ground storage tank to an above-the-ground dispensing pumpmeans has leak detection means for detecting leakage of the fuel thereinthrough the inner surface means thereof and for providing an electricalconductive means therealong for dissipating static electricity from thepump means to the storage tank.

In particular, it is believed according to the teachings of thisinvention that since the flexible hose construction that is disposedabove the ground and interconnects the above-ground pump means to anozzle that is utilized for dispensing fuel into a fuel container of atransportation vehicle or the like has electrical conductor meansextending therealong for dissipating static electricity from the nozzleto the pump means, then the other hose construction that interconnectsthe pump means to the storage tank means that is disposed in the groundcould likewise have electrical conductor means extending therealong fordissipating the static electricity from the pump means to the storagetank and such electrical conductor means can additionally be utilizedfor detecting leakage of the fuel therein through the inner surfacemeans thereof whereby such electrical conductive means of the flexiblehose construction that is disposed in the ground provides a unique dualpurpose.

Accordingly, one embodiment of this invention provides a fuel dispensingsystem comprising a storage tank for the fuel and being disposed in theground, a dispensing pump means disposed above the ground, a firstflexible hose construction having an inner surface means and beingdisposed in the ground for conveying fuel from the tank to the pumpmeans, and a second flexible hose construction having opposed end meansone of which is interconnected to the pump means, the second hoseconstruction being disposed above the ground for dispensing fuel fromthe pump means into a fuel container of a transportation vehicle or thelike through a nozzle means interconnected to the other of the end meansthereof, the second hose construction having electrical conductor meansextending therealong for dissipating static electricity from the nozzleto the pump means, the first hose construction having leak detectormeans for detecting leakage of the fuel therein through the innersurface means thereof and for providing an electrical conductor meanstherealong for dissipating static electricity from the pump means to thestorage tank.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new fueldispensing system having one or more of the novel features of thisinvention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new method of makingsuch a dispensing system, the method of this invention having one ormore of the novel features of this invention as set forth above orhereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new flexible hoseconstruction for such a system, the hose construction of this inventionhaving one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forthabove or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new method of makingsuch a new hose construction, the method of this invention having one ormore of the novel features of this invention as set forth above orhereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the new fuel dispensing systemand method of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of part of theabove-ground hose construction of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG.2 and has the inner product hose thereof removed.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the below-the-ground hoseconstruction of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line6--6 of FIG. 5 and illustrates schematically a leak detection structureinterconnected thereto.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, partially in cross section, illustratingone of the conductive ends of the below-the-ground hose construction ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustratedand described as being particularly adapted to provide a system fordispensing fuel, such as gasoline, it is to be understood that thevarious features of this invention can be utilized singly or in variouscombinations thereof to provide a system for dispensing any otherdesired fluid therethrough for other types of uses as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the new fuel dispensing system and method ofthis invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 andcomprises a storage tank 21 for storing fuel 22 therein in aconventional manner, the tank 21 being disposed in the ground 23 andthereby being earth grounded also in a conventional manner. A dispensingpump means of the system 20 is disposed on the ground 23 so as to beabove the ground in a conventional manner. A first flexible hoseconstruction 25 having an inner surface means 26, FIGS. 5 and 6, is alsodisposed in the ground 23 for conveying fuel from the storage tank 21 tothe pump means 24 in a conventional manner, the flexible hoseconstruction 25 having coupling means 27 and 28 disposed at opposed endmeans 29 and 30 thereof for respectively coupling to junction means 31and 32 respectively of the storage tank 21 and pump means 24 in a mannerhereinafter described.

While the junction means 32 for the pump means 24 is illustrated asbeing disposed in the ground 23 and being interconnected to the pumpmeans 24 by a conveying means 33, it is to be understood that otherjunction means can be provided for interconnecting the end 30 of thehose construction 25 to the pump means 24 as desired. Also, the hoseconstruction 25 could have one or more junction means between the endmeans 29 and 30 thereof, if desired.

The system and method 20 of this invention also comprises a secondflexible hose construction 34 having opposed end means 35 and 36respectively interconnected by coupling means 37 and 38 to the pumpmeans 24 and a dispensing nozzle means 39 in a conventional manner sothat the nozzle means 39 can dispense fuel from the pump means 24 into afuel container (not shown) of a transportation vehicle or the like (notshown) in a conventional manner as the pump means 24 receives fuel fromthe storage tank 21 through the first hose construction 25 all in amanner well known in the art. For example, see the aforementioned U.S.Pat. No. 4,673,926 to Gorman; the U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,505 to Sharp; theU.S. Pat. No. 4,029,889 to Mizuochi and the U.S. Pat. No. 3,564,526 toButts, whereby these four U.S. patents are being incorporated into thisdisclosure by this reference thereto.

The second hose construction 34 can be of the type that is set forth inthe aforementioned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 192,253,of Rodger P. Grantham, filed Apr. 25, 1988, and since this applicationhas now been allowed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, thiscopending patent application is being incorporated into this disclosureby this reference thereto.

Since the structure of the hose construction 34 is fully disclosed insuch aforementioned copending patent application, only the structurethereof that is believed necessary to understand the features of thisinvention will now be described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hose construction 34 includes anouter flexible tubular member 40 having inner surface means 42 and beingformed of any suitable flexible polymeric material. A reinforcingconducting wire means 43 being covered with electrical insulating means44 is helically disposed in engagement with the internal peripheralsurface means 41 of the outer hose 40 and can be secured thereto in themanner illustrated in FIG. 3 whereby the conductive wire 43 extendsbetween the opposed ends 35 and 36 of the hose construction 34 not onlyfor the purpose of reinforcing the outer hose 40 but also fordissipating static electricity between the nozzle means 39 and the pumpmeans 24 as will be apparent hereinafter and as set forth in theaforementioned copending patent application of Rodger P. Grantham.

The second flexible hose construction 34 includes an inner flexible hose45 having an internal peripheral surface means 46 and an externalperipheral surface means 47 and being disposed in the outer hose 40 insuch a manner that the same defines an outer passage means 48 therewiththat is defined between the inner peripheral surface means 41 of theouter hose 40 and the outer peripheral surface means 47 of the innerhose 45.

The inner hose 45 is adapted to convey the product, such as the gasolinebeing delivered by the pump means 24, through an internal passage 49defined by the internal peripheral surface means 46 of the inner hose 45to the nozzle 39 to be dispensed out of the same whereas the outerpassage 48 in the hose construction 34 is adapted to return fuel vapors,that are created from the dispensing operation at the nozzle means 39and container means of the transportation vehicle receiving thegasoline, back to the pump means 24 for vapor recovery purposes all in amanner well known in the art.

The opposed ends 35 and 36 of the hose construction 34 are coupled tothe coupling means 37 and 38 substantially in a like manner whereby onlythe coupling means 38 is illustrated in FIG. 4 for the end 36 of thehose construction 34 whereby it is to be understood that the other end35 has its coupling means 37 formed in a similar manner.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the end 36 of the outer hose 40 is disposedand secured within an end 50 of a polymeric cuff 51 that has its otherend 52 sandwiched between an internal metallic sleeve means 53 and anouter metallic sleeve means 54, the outer sleeve means 54 having arotatable nut-like means 55 disposed thereon and provided with externalthreads 56 for coupling to the desired structure of the nozzle 39 all ina manner fully set forth in the aforementioned copending patentapplication of Rodger P. Grantham.

The wire 43 of the outer hose 40 has the insulation 44 thereof removedat the end means 57 thereof and the end means 57 is forced through thepolymeric cuff 51 so as to be disposed on the outer peripheral surface58 thereof and thereby be disposed in electrical contact with theinternal peripheral surface 59 of the outer conductive sleeve means 54so that the metallic parts of the coupling 38 are electricallyinterconnected to the like conductive parts of the coupling 37 at theother end 35 of the hose construction 34 by the conductive wire 43whereby any electrostatic buildup at the nozzle means 39 and/or anywherealong the hose construction 34 will be dissipated through the conductivewire 43 from the nozzle 39 and/or other area to the pump means 24 all ina manner well known in the art.

However, it is believed that the first flexible hose construction 25 ofthis invention can be provided with means in a manner hereinafter setforth to not only electrically interconnect the pump means 24 to themetallic storage tank means 21 so as to dissipate such electrostaticenergy that has been dissipated to the storage tank 21 and, thus, toearth ground, but also it is believed that such means can provide meansfor detecting any leakage of the fuel passing through the hoseconstruction 25 that penetrates through the inner peripheral surfacemeans 26 thereof and before the leaking fuel reaches the exterior of thehose construction 25, as will be apparent hereinafter.

While the hose construction 25 is of the type that is fully disclosedand claimed in a copending patent application Ser. No. 405,487, ofJeffrey J. Winters et al, filed Sep. 11, 1989, sufficient details of thehose construction 25 will now be described in order to fully understandthe features of this invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the hose construction 25 comprises aninner corrugated hose 60 formed of any suitable conductive polymericmaterial and having a plurality of outwardly convex projections 61 withrecesses 62 therebetween and extending from the one end means 29 to theother end means 30 thereof, a tube 63 of any suitable nonconductivepolymeric material extending in a generally straight line manner fromprojection 61 to projection 61 as illustrated in FIG. 6, an outer sleeve64 of reinforcing wire or textile material disposed in a telescopingrelation on the tube 63, and an outer layer 65 of any suitableconductive polymeric material that will provide a protection for thereinforcing sleeve 64 so as to tend to prevent any liquid that isconveyed through the flexible hose construction 25 from permeating tothe exterior thereof, such as the gasoline and the like previouslydescribed.

The tube 63 can be bonded to the projections 61 of the inner corrugatedhose 60 and the outer polymeric layer 65 can exude through thereinforcement layer 64 to bond to the tube 63 whereby the tube 63 notonly prevents the reinforcement layer 64 from entering into the recesses62 of the inner corrugated hose 60 an amount that would tend to reducethe flexibility characteristics of the inner hose 60, but also the tube63 electrically insulates the inner tube 60 from the outer tube 65.

Therefore, it is believed according to the teachings of this inventionthat by making the inner corrugated tube 60 as well as the outer tube orlayer 65 of a conductive polymeric material, not only will suchconductive tubes 60 and 65 provide conductive means for dissipatingstatic electricity from the pump means 24 and/or anywhere along the hoseconstruction 25 to the storage means 21 and, thus, to earth ground, butalso such conductive layers 60 and 65 can provide part of a leakdetection means.

For example, it can be seen in FIG. 6 that a sensing device 66 can haveleads 67 and 68 thereof respectively electrically interconnected to theinner conductive polymeric tube 60 and the outer conductive polymerictube 65 so that should the gasoline being conveyed through the interiorpassage 69 of the hose construction 25 permeate or leak through theinner corrugated tube 60 of the hose construction 25 as well as throughthe inner tube 63, such leaking liquid will electrically interconnectthe inner corrugated conductive tube 60 to the outer conductivepolymeric tube 65 and such electrical interconnection of the tubes 60and 65 will be detected by the detecting means 66 which could sound analarm, or provide other indication means or warning means to theoperators of the system 20 to indicate that a leakage situation isoccurring within the flexible hose construction 25 before such leakingliquid reaches the external peripheral surface 70 of the outer layer 65of the hose construction 25.

For example, such sensing and indication means can be similar to suchsensing and indicating means set forth in the aforementioned U.S. Pat.No. 4,446,892, to Maxwell, as well as set forth in the previouslymentioned four U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,673,926; 4,667,505; 4,029,889 and3,564,526, whereby the U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,892, to Maxwell, is alsobeing incorporated into this disclosure by this reference thereto.

As previously stated, any suitable conductive polymeric material can beutilized for forming the inner corrugated tube 60 and outer sleeve ortube 65 of the hose construction 25 with such polymeric material beingthe same or different for the tubes 60 and 65. For example, suchconductive polymeric material could be of the type set forth in theaforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,383 to Kleykamp, and the U.S. Pat.No. 4,196,464 to Russell, whereby these two U.S. patents are also beingincorporated into this disclosure by this reference thereto.

While the detection means 66 is illustrated in FIG. 6 as beinginterconnected to the hose construction 25 directly to the inner andouter tubes 60 and 65 thereof, it is to be understood that the detectionmeans 66 could be located anywhere along the hose construction 25 and,if desired, could be located at the coupling means 27 and 28 thereof. Ofcourse, a plurality of devices 66 could be located at various areasalong the hose construction 25 so as to pinpoint where any leakage mightbe taking place.

In any event, the coupling means 27 and 28 at the opposed ends 29 and 30of the hose construction 25 can be formed in a like manner whereby onlythe coupling structure 27 at the end 29 of the hose construction 25 isillustrated in FIG. 7 and will now be described, the coupling structure27 being fully disclosed and claimed in a copending patent applicationSer. No. 408,161, of John D. Sanders et al, filed Sep. 15, 1989, wherebyonly sufficient details of the coupling structure 27 will be describedthat are believed necessary to understand the features of thisinvention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the coupling structure 27 includes aconductive coupling nut 71 rotatably carried on a conductive body member72 that defines an outer conductive sleeve 73 disposed against theexternal peripheral surface 70 of the hose construction 25 at the end 29thereof in a telescoping manner. Another conductive metallic sleeve 74is disposed inside the end 29 of the hose construction 25 and isoutwardly radially expanded as indicated by the arrows 75 in FIG. 7 tocompress the end 29 of the hose construction 25 between the outer sleeve73 and an inner polymeric insert 76 carried by the sleeve 74 whereby itcan be seen that the outer conductive sleeve 73 will be disposed inelectrical contact with the outer conductive tube 65 of the hoseconstruction 25 not only for dissipating the static electricity to thatcoupling structure 27 and, thus, to the storage tank 21 but also theinsert 76 of the coupling structure 72 could likewise be formed ofconductive material so as to interconnect the inner conductive tube 60of the hose construction 25 to the coupling structure 27 and, thus, tothe storage tank 21.

However, if it is desired to prevent electrical connection between theinner tube 60 and the outer tube 65 at the opposed ends 29 and 30 of thehose construction 25, the inserts 76 will prevent such electricalconnection between the tubes 60 and 65 so that the detection means 66could have its lead 67 electrically disposed between the inserts 76 andthe inner tube 60 at the time the couplings 27 and 28 are formed, ifdesired.

In any event, it can be seen that the hose construction 25 of thisinvention provides leak detection means for detecting leakage of thefuel in the passage 69 thereof that leaks through the inner surfacemeans 26 thereof and through the insulating tube 63 to the outer tube 65before such leakage of liquid reaches the external peripheral surface 70of the hose construction 25 with such leak detection means alsoproviding an electrical conductive means along the hose construction 25for dissipating static electricity from the pump means 24 and/oranywhere along the hose construction 25 to the storage tank 21 and,thus, to earth ground whereby the conductive means of the hoseconstruction 25 provides a dual purpose thereof.

However, while the conductive means of the hose construction 25 of thisinvention have been described as being conductive polymeric tubesthereof, it is to be understood that other conductive means can beutilized therewith or in place thereof, if desired.

Further, it is to be understood that while the hose construction 25 canbe disposed directly in the ground 23 between the storage tank means 21and the junction means 32 as illustrated in FIG. 1, a secondarycontainment means that is indicated by the reference numeral 80 in FIG.1 can be used and can comprise a tubular member that surrounds the hoseconstruction 25 to separate the same from the ground 23 in a manner wellknown in the art. Also, while only one pump means 24 is illustrated forthe storage tank 21, it is to be understood that more than one such pumpmeans 24 can be interconnected to the storage tank 21, if desired.

In any event, it can be seen that this invention not only provides a newfuel dispensing system, but also this invention provides a new method ofmaking and operating such a fuel dispensing system.

While the forms and methods of this invention now preferred have beenillustrated and described as required by the Patent Statute, it is to beunderstood that other forms and method steps can be utilized and stillfall within the scope of the appended claims wherein each claim setsforth what is believed to be known in each claim prior to this inventionin the portion of each claim that is disposed before the terms "theimprovement" and sets forth what is believed to be new in each claimaccording to this invention in the portion of each claim that isdisposed after the terms "the improvement" whereby it is believed thateach claim sets forth a novel, useful and unobvious invention within thepurview of the Patent Statute.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hose construction for a fuel dispensing system,said hose construction having an inner surface, and opposite first andsecond ends, said hose construction comprising:a first electricalconductor means disposed along the hose end to said second end and forforming a portion of a leak detection means for detecting leakage offluid through said inner surface.
 2. A hose construction as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said hose construction comprises a plurality of tubularmembers disposed in telescoping relation, one of said tubular memberscomprising said first electrical conductor means of said hoseconstruction.
 3. A hose construction as set forth in claim 2 whereinanother of said tubular members of said hose construction comprisesanother portion of said leak detection means.
 4. A hose construction asset forth in claim 3 wherein the other of said tubular members comprisesa second electrical conductor means.
 5. A hose construction as set forthin claim 4 wherein a third of said tubular members comprises anelectrical insulating structure disposed between said first electricalconductor means and said second electrical conductor means.
 6. A hoseconstruction as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first electricalconductor means and said second electrical conductor means of said hoseconstruction each comprises a tubular member formed of a conductivepolymeric material.
 7. A hose construction as set forth in claim 6wherein one of said first electrical conductor means and said secondelectrical conductor means of said hose construction defines an outerperipheral surface of said hose construction.
 8. A hose construction asset forth in claim 7 wherein the other of said first electricalconductor means and said second electrical conductor means of said hoseconstruction comprises said inner surface thereof.
 9. A hoseconstruction as set forth in claim 2 wherein said one of said tubularmembers is formed of conductive polymeric material.
 10. A hoseconstruction as set forth in claim 9 wherein said one of said tubularmembers defines an outer peripheral surface of said hose construction.11. A method of making a hose construction for a fuel dispensing system,said hose construction having an inner surface, and opposite first andsecond ends, said method comprising the steps of:forming a firstelectrical conductor means disposed along the hose construction fordissipating static electricity from said first end to said second endand for forming a portion of a leak detection means for detectingleakage of fluid through said inner surface.
 12. A method as set forthin claim 11 and including the steps of forming said hose construction tocomprise a plurality of tubular members disposed in telescopingrelation, and forming one of said tubular members to comprise said firstelectrical conductor means of said hose construction.
 13. A method asset forth in claim 12 and including the step of forming another of saidtubular members of said hose construction to comprise another portion ofsaid leak detection means.
 14. A method as set forth in claim 13 andincluding the step of forming the other of said tubular members tocomprise a second electrical conductor means.
 15. A method as set forthin claim 14 and including the step of forming a third of said tubularmembers to comprise an electrical insulating structure disposed betweensaid first electrical conductor means and said second electricalconductor means.
 16. A method as set forth in claim 15 and including thestep of forming said first electrical conductor means and said secondelectrical conductor means of said hose construction to each comprise atubular member formed of a conductive polymeric material.
 17. A methodas set forth in claim 16 and including the step of forming one of saidfirst electrical conductor means and said second electrical conductormeans of said hose construction to define an outer peripheral surface ofsaid hose construction.
 18. A method as set forth in claim 16 andincluding the step of forming the other of said first electricalconductor means and said second electrical conductor means of said hoseconstruction to comprise said inner surface thereof.
 19. A method as setforth in claim 12 and including the step of forming said one of saidtubular members of conductive polymeric material.
 20. A method as setforth in claim 19 and including the step of forming said one of saidtubular members to define an outer peripheral surface of said hoseconstruction.